Nerv is a paramilitary special agency nominally under the control of the United Nations. Nerv's official purpose is to lead the defense of mankind against the Angels, to stop them from initiating a Third Impact after the destruction that was wrought by Adam during Second Impact in 2000, through use of the Evangelions, which they constructed. Nerv is headed by Commander Gendo Ikari. Deep down however, also lies a mission where the ultimate, clandestine goal is to carry out the Human Instrumentality Project. ( Text Source : http://wiki.evageeks.org/Nerv )